Manifold cut-off for internal-combustion engines



April 12, 1927.

, N. N. NEHER MANIFOLD CUT-OFF FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES .Fiied June 9. 1926 OPERA rep BY IGNITION sw/rcw OPERATEfl BY L cou rkpusn BY lclwnjolv awn- H v Lil Patented Apr. 12, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NOAH 1v. nnnnn, on nos Anennns, CALIFORNIA.

MANIFOLD CUT-OFF FOR INTERNAL CQM BUSTION ENGINES.

Application filed June 9,

This invention relates to adevice for controlling the supply of fuel to an internal combustion engine and particularly to a device adapted to be mounted upon the intake manifold of the engine. The device has been primarily designed to be used in conjunction with the construction disclosed in my co-peuding application, Serial No. 114,637 filed June 9, 1926, but it may be equally well employed with other constructions.

An object of this invention is to provide a manifold cut-off for opening and closing the entrance to the manifold from the internal combustion engine, the improved cutofl being of simple and durable construction and being capable of being easily and quickly operated.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved cut-off for intake manifolds on internal combustion engines which will serve as a lock for the engine, it being understood that the improved device is readily adapted to be used on internal combustion engines on automobiles.

A further object of this invention is to provide a cut-off adapted to serve as a lock for the manifold of an internal combustion engine, which is substantially theft proof in that in the event of the operating mechanism being broken or cut by apotential thief in an attempt to open the lock, the cut-off is very likely to remain closed unless the potential thief should be extremely careful. i With the foregoing and other objects in view which will be made manifest in the following detailed description and specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference is had to the accompanying drawings for an illustrative embodiment of the invention, wherein Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of construction, the cover being shown as having been removed and the cut-off shown in closed position,

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with the cut-off shown in open position,

Fig. is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 1 is a view similar to Fig. 1, illustrating a modified, form of construction, and Fig? is a view similar to. Fig. 41 showing the cut-off in open position.

Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference. characters; designate similar parts throughout, the'i-inpror vle'd 1926. Serial No. 114,638.

cutoff consists of two plates 10 and 11 which are spaced by a third plate 12. The three plates are bolted together as by bolts or rivets 1 1-, and the housing thus formed is adapted to be inserted between the companion flanges 15 and 16 which are usually provided upon the conventional intake manifold and carburetor on an internal combustion engine. The three plates are preferably provided with apertures 17 to receive bolts passing through the flanges. In the central plate 12 there is formed an elongated aperture 18, and adjacent one end of each of the plates 10 and 11 there is formed an aperture 19 or 20, registering with each other and which are adapted to register with the interiorv of the manifold. A. disclike closure 21 fits within the aperture 18 and is slidable between the plates 10 and 11, This disc-like closure is capable of closing the passage provided through the housing by the apertures 19 and 20, or if swung into the position shown in Fig. 2 the passage of-fuel through the manifold will be permitted. In the central plate 12 adjacent the side of the aperture 18 there is formed a circular notch 22 which receives a circular projection 2-3 formed on alever 24. The lever 24 is thus pivotally mounted within the housing and it is provided with two arms, the arm 25 being pivotally connected to the disc-like closure 21 as indicated at The other arm of the lever 24, which is indicated at 27, cooperates with the first arm 25 to form a notch 28 which receives the arm 29 of a second lever generally indicated at 30. The second lever has a circular projection 31 fitting within a recess formed in the central plate 12 on the opposite side of the aperture 18 from the recess 22. In this manner the second lever 30 is pivotally mounted within the casing. In addition to. the arm 29 this second lever has an arm 33 which cooperates with the first arm 29 to, form a notch 3 1. The notch 34 receives an arm on a third lever generally indicated at 36, which is pivotally connected to the housing as indicated. at 31 by a construction similar to that which is employed for pivotally fastening the other levers in the housing. In the third lever 36 there. is formeda notch 38 preferably circular inform, and anactuating or operating. wire 39 extends into the housing thmus f e aper ur 5 Opening .0 rm 'inthe plate 12. wire: has itsend bent into a circle which fits within the notch 38. The wire onthe outside of the housing is enclosed by a flexible hose 41 preferably formed of steel wire. It is adapted to be operated from the dashboard ot' a vehicle to which the device is applied by means of a lock, and when used in conjunction with the construction shown in my co-pending application, it is operated by the lock controlled ignition switch. r-kdjacent the notch 32 a semi-circular groove 42 is formed in the plate 12 and a coil spring l3 fits within this groove having one end bearing against the side ol the aperture 18 and the other bearing againstthe arm on the second lever 30.

The operation of the device is as follows: hen the operating or actuating wire 39 is pulled, the third lever will be swung causing its end to engage the arm 33 on the second lever, thus swinging the second lever. The arm 29 on the second lever engages the arm 27 on the first lever, swinging the first lever and causing the closure 21 to uncover the apertures 19 and 20. This movement is done against the action of the coil spring 43, and upon release of the wire 39 or upon its being pushed forwardly, the coil spring will serve to return the levers and closure from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 1.

A feature of the construction is as follows: It will be readily understood that the improved manifold cutoff is designed to prevent unauthorized operation of the engine. It is readily appreciated that a potential thief might cut the hose 11. To take care of such a contingency attention is directed particularly to the shape of the lever 36 and the arm 33 on the second lever 30. It the hose should be cut, a thief on pulling the wire 39 would be very likely to pull this wire too far, and in such event the end of the lever 36 rides over the small projection formed on the arm 33 and when this is done, the third lever 36 no longer controls the second lever. Consequently, the coil spring 13 is immediately free to throw the second and first levers and the closure 21. back into closing position, so that the manifold remains cut off. If a thief should attempt to push the wire 39 to cause thelever 35 to again engage the lcver30, it will be readily understood trom an inspection of Fig. 1 that the end of the arm is in such position that the lever 36 cannot pass by it. Consequently, even if a thief should cut the hose and pull upon the wire 39, he is very likely to pull it too far, causing the lever 36 to disengage the lever 30, and when these levers have once been disengaged, they cannot subsequently be caused to engage by movement of the wire 39. The engine therefore remains locked, so that it cannot be operated, and can only be again operated after the complete cutoff has been taken oft of the manifold, the plates 10 and 11 separated and the lever 36 lifted over Figs. 1 and 2, the main difference being that in Figs. 1 and 2 the hose 41 is connected to the end of the housing, whereas in Figs. i and 5 the hose is connected to the side of the housing. Furthermore, the shape of the lever as correspomling to the lever 36 is slightly changed to provide for the attachment or the actuating wire. In all other respects the modification shown in Figs. at and 5 is the same as that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and it will be readily understood that in the event that the operating wire shown in Figs. 4 and 5 should be pulled too far, the lever 36 will disengage the lever 30 and cannot be caused to again engage it by the wire.

From the above described construction it will be readily appreciated that an improved manifold cut-oil or a device for controlling the supply of fuel to an internal combustion engine is provided which will easily and quickly open or close the conduit conveying fuel to the engine. Furthermore, upon attempted operation by cutting the hose e1 it will be readily understood that the lock cannot be opened and caused to remain open unless the wire 39 is pulled just so liar and no farther. This feature, because of the fact that it is very ditlicult to determine what would be the limit that the wire 39 can be pulled without causing the lever 36 to disengage the arm 33, enables the device to be effectively employed as an automobile lock. It will be understood that various changes in the detail of construction may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as delined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1.. A device for controlling the supply of fuel to an internal combustion engine comprising a valve adapted to be inserted in the fuel comluit leading to the engine, an actuatin member, and means connecting said actuating member to the valve whereby the valve may be opened and closed by the actuating member, said means being so constructed that ii the actuating member is moved to a position beyond the tull open position. of the valve, the alve will autoion iui

cally return to its closed position and the actuating member will no longer be capable of actuating the valve.

3. A device for controlling the supply of fuel to an internal combustion engine comprising a valve adapted to be mounted in the fuel conduit leading to the engine, an actuating wire, a hose enclosing the wire, and means connecting the wire to the valve whereby the wire upon being moved between two predetermined positions may move the valve from open to closed position or vice versa, but upon moving the wire beyond one of the predetermined positions, it will be no longer connected to the valve so as to be incapable of actuating it.

i. A device for controlling the supply of fuel to an internal combustion engine comprising a valve adapted to be mounted in the fuel conduit leading to the engine, an actuating wire, a hose enclosing the wire, and means connecting the wire to the valve whereby the wire upon being moved between two predetermined positions may move the valve from open to closed position or vice versa, but upon moving the wire beyond the predetermined position wherein the valve is open, the valve will automatically be re turned to its closed position and remain closed regardless of further movements of the wire.

5. A device for controlling the supply of fuel to an internal combustion engine comprising a housing adapted to be mounted in a fuel conduit leading to an internal combustion engine, said housing having an aperture therein through which the fuel may pass, a valve closure in the housing adapted to open and close the aperture, an angular lever in the housing, means connecting one arm of the lever to the valve closure, a second lever pivoted upon the housing having an arm engageable upon the second arm of the first lever, and means for actuating said second lever to cause the first lever to move the alve closure.

6. A device for controlling the supply of fuel to an internal combustion engine comprising a housing adapted to be mounted in a fuel conduit leading to an internal combustion engine, said housing having an aperture therein through which the fuel may pass. a valve closure in the housing adapted to open and close the aperture, an angular lever in the housing, means connecting one arm of the lever to the valve closure, a second lever pivoted upon the housing having an arm engageable upon the second arm of the first lever, and a spring associated with the first lever urging it to move the valve into closed position, said levers being so arranged that if the second lever is moved beyond a position wherein the valve is fully open, it will disengage the first lever, allowing the spring to return the first lever and closure into closed position, in which the second lever may no longer be caused to operatively engage the first lever.

7. A device for controlling the supply of fuel to an internal combustion engine comprising a housing adapted to be inserted in the fuel conduit leading to the engine, there being an aperture in said housing, a valve closure adapted to close the aperture, a first lever pivoted in the housing having two arms one of which is pivotally connected to said closure, a second lever pivoted in the housing having two arms, one of which engages the other arm of the first lever, spring means associated with the second lever urging it into that position in which the closure is in closing position, a third lever pivoted in the housing having an arm engageable upon the other arm of the second lever, and means for moving said third lever to cause it to actuate the first and second levers and thus move said closure into open position.

8. A device for controlling the supply of fuel to an internal combustion engine comprising a housing adapted to be inserted in the fuel conduit leading to the engine, there being an aperture in said housing, a valve closure adapted to close the aperture, a first lever pivoted in the housing having two arms one of which is pivotally connected to said closure, a second lever pivoted in the housing having two arms, one of which engag-es the other arm of the first lever, spring means associated with the second lever urging it into that position in which the closure is in closing position, a third lever pivoted in the housing having an arm engageable upon the other arm of the-second lever, and means for moving said third lever to cause it to actuate the first and second levers and thus move said closure into open position, said third lever and said other arm on the second lever being so arranged that if the third lever is moved beyond the position in which the closure is in fully open position it will disengage the second lever and be incapable of again operatively engaging it.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

N. N. NEHER. 

